Multiple configuration utility vehicle

• US 7,874,391 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2007
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clark Equipment Company (Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Clark Equipment Company (Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction Company Limited)
• Inventors: Schatz, Warren M., Ellefson, Shawn R., Tokach, Thomas J., Dahl, Jeffrey A., Kaldor, Matthew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): To; Toan C
• Application Number:
  US11/836,105
• Publication Number:
  US 20080035404A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,266 Days
• Field of Search: 180/89.12, 180/312, 180/900, 180/68.4, 180/68.6, 280/783, 172/439, 172/248, 172/250, 172/254, 172/272
• US Class Current: 180/89.12
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 51/026 of the automotive vehicle type, e.g. including driver accommodation A01B51/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 59/068 the lower arms being lifted or lowered by power actuator means provided externally on the tractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/04 Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds B60K11/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 49/02 modified to take lifting devices
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 49/06 adapted for multi-purpose use
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 49/065 Coupling of multi-purpose tractors with equipment towing bars B60D; with load transfer B62D53/08; power take-off B60K; with lifting devices B62D49/02; pushing gear B62D49/04
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/02 Travelling-gear, e.g. associated with slewing gears drives therefor E02F9/20; for motor vehicles B60B, B60G; undercarriages for locomotives or railroad cars B61F; track-laying vehicles B62D; for cranes B66C23/18
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/0808 Improving mounting or assembling, e.g. frame elements, disposition of all the components on the superstructures for disposition of specific components, E02F9/0858
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/0891 Lids or bonnets or doors or details thereof doors for cabins E02F9/163 takes precedence; for motor vehicles B62D25/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 180/90 Argicultural-type tractors

Abstract

A utility vehicle includes front and rear wheel assemblies, a frame supported on the front and rear wheel assemblies, and an operator compartment supported on the frame and having operator controls. The frame includes a central, tubular frame member having a front end portion and a rear end portion. An engine is supported on the frame for providing power to the front and rear wheel assemblies. A cooling assembly mounted above the engine. An attachment arm is attached to the front portion of the frame and a rear interface mount is rigidly attached to the rear portion of the frame.

Claims

1. A utility vehicle comprising:

a frame;

front and rear wheel assemblies supporting the frame;

an operator compartment supported on the frame and having operator controls;

an engine supported on the frame for providing power to the front and rear wheel assemblies;

a cooling assembly mounted above the engine;

an attachment arm attached to a front portion of the frame; and

a rear interface mount rigidly attached to a rear portion of the frame, the rear interface mount having a plurality of interface apertures adapted for accommodating attachment of one or more of a plurality of work mechanisms to the rear interface mount, wherein an interface of a first work mechanism is different from an interface of a second work mechanism.

2. The utility vehicle of claim 1, wherein the rear interface mount is adapted for accommodating attachment thereto of a box mounted in a horizontal configuration above the rear interface mount together with a second work mechanism rearward of the rear interface mount.

3. The utility vehicle of claim 2, wherein the second work mechanism is a three-point hitch assembly.

4. The utility vehicle of claim 1, wherein the rear interface mount includes a front portion and a rear portion spaced apart from one another and a pair of side portions extending between the front and rear portions.

5. The utility vehicle of claim 4, where in the rear interface mount includes lateral portions on each side of the side portions.

6. The utility vehicle of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a central, tubular frame member having a front end portion attached to the front working arm and a rear end portion attached to the rear interface mount.

7. The utility vehicle of claim 1, wherein the frame member includes an attachment arm support portion, a middle portion, and an engine support portion.

8. The utility vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a detachable rear cover mounted over the cooling assembly.

9. The utility vehicle of claim 8, wherein the rear cover includes a radiator screen positioned above the cooling assembly integrally formed with a container portion.

10. The utility vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cooling assembly is mounted to an upper portion of the utility vehicle rearward of the operator compartment.

11. The utility vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cooling assembly includes a hydraulic fan mounted for rotation about an axis that is acute to a vertical axis.

12. A utility vehicle comprising:

front and rear wheel assemblies;

a frame supported on the front and rear wheel assemblies, the frame including a central, tubular frame member having a front end portion and a rear end portion;

an operator compartment supported on the frame and having operator controls;

an engine supported on the frame for providing power to the front and rear wheel assemblies;

an attachment arm attached to the front portion of the frame; and

a rear interface mount rigidly attached to the rear portion of the frame, wherein the rear interface mount has a plurality of interface apertures adapted for accommodating attachment of one or more of a plurality of work mechanisms to the rear interface mount, wherein an interface of a first work mechanism is different from an interface of a second work mechanism.

13. The utility vehicle of claim 12, wherein the frame member includes an attachment arm support portion, a middle portion, and an engine support portion.

14. The utility vehicle of claim 12, wherein the frame member includes a brace member in between the middle portion and the attachment arm support portion.

15. The utility vehicle of claim 12, wherein the rear interface mount is adapted for accommodating attachment thereto of a box mounted in a horizontal configuration above the rear interface mount together with a second work mechanism rearward of the rear interface mount.

16. The utility vehicle of claim 15, wherein the second work mechanism is a three-point hitch assembly.

17. The utility vehicle of claim 12, further comprising a cooling assembly mounted above the engine.